SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jalen Brunson scored 42 points, becoming the fourth player in franchise history with 40 or more points in consecutive games, and the New York Knicks beat the Sacramento Kings 98-91 Saturday night.
Brunson had 45 points in Thursday’s win at Portland. He has seven 40-point games this season, while he was an All-Star for the first time.
“You almost expect what Jalen did,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “It’s every night and it’s big play after big play. Every time you need a big bucket, he finds it.” »
Brunson is the first Knicks player to reach 40 in consecutive games since Carmelo Anthony on February 19 and 21, 2014. Hall of Famers Bernard King and Patrick Ewing are the other Knicks to do so.
“I don’t have these guys’ resumes, so it means a lot,” Brunson said. “But I’m just happy we found a way to win.”
Donte DiVincenzo scored 15 points and Josh Hart had nine points and 12 rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein was a force on the defensive end, blocking five shots and grabbing 14 rebounds, along with seven points.
“It was a great team win,” Thibodeau said. “I thought the defense was really good. They are a gifted offensive team.
Domantas Sabonis led the Kings with 21 points and 14 rebounds for his 49th consecutive double-double.
De’Aaron Fox added 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but was held to 5-of-19 shooting. Malik Monk scored 18 off the bench.
“I feel like we have a good look,” Fox said. “I feel like we just didn’t make any shots. But they’re a good defensive team and you have to be able to capitalize on every mistake, and I don’t think we did a good job tonight.
The Kings’ 91 points were their lowest total in a home game this season. Sacramento fell to 0-8 while scoring fewer than 100 points, while New York held its fifth straight opponent under that number.
“They’re a great team, explosive on offense and Mike (Brown) has done a great job coaching them here,” Brunson said. “They have a lot of problems on that side of the ball and we were able to keep them under 100 points, which is not easy to do. Like I said, we found a way.
It was the Kings’ first loss allowing less than 100 points, falling to 6-1.
The game featured 20 lead changes and 13 ties.
The Knicks led 53-48 at halftime and extended the advantage to nine early in the third quarter thanks to two layups by Brunson.
Sacramento responded with a 15-4 run to go up 63-61, but New York took a 75-74 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Knicks dominated the Kings 23-17 in the final period.
FOLLOWING
Knicks: At Golden State Monday night.
Kings: Host Memphis Monday night.
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